The President's Hebdomadal Blue Ribbon Newsletter February 05 – 18, 2018

Welcome to the final week before the Mardi Gras / Beginning of Lent Holidays! It is important to note that our week off next week is really for two reasons: Mardi Gras for two days and the beginning of Lent for three.

Last year, General Councilor (and former SPS teacher, coach and athletic director) Brother Tim Coldwell sent me this quotation from Saint La Salle’s Conduct of Schools – the faculty handbook for the first Brothers and an incredible guide for us even today: Holidays may not be given on the Monday and Tuesday immediately preceding the first day of Lent. Furthermore, students will even be required to be more exact in their attendance at school on these days than on any other day in the year. Tim speculated that things were pretty wild in France in the two days preceding Ash Wednesday, and our Founder wanted the students even more protected from the evil temptations and near occasions of sin of his day.

Well, I hate to ignore our Founder, but I don’t think I could get away with having school on two days prior to Ash Wed in our south Louisiana culture today! I’d be sitting here by myself! But the very temptations that the Founder wanted to protect the students from still abound – and, perhaps, are magnified – in our current Mardi Gras culture.

And while I feel pretty helpless to do much about it, I still played YoY o Ma’s “Ecstasy of Gold” from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly at Tuesday’s assembly. I’ll still exhort the students this week to embrace the good, shun the bad, and eschew the ugly of Mardi Gras. I’ll still encourage them to attend Ash Wednesday services. I’ll still praise the Marching

Wolves and encourage families to take precautions. I’ll still support families who leave town over Mardi Gras. And I’ll still pray for the safety of all of our students. I hope you will join me in that. And then I’ll spend Mardi Gras day with a good ratiocinative book (look it up!) and prepare for the beginning of Lent.

I wish you a safe and blessed holiday week.

Mon, Feb 5 (9 am start for faculty meeting at 7:45; E F G A)

This Day in History: In 1971, Apollo 14, the 3rd US manned Moon expedition, lands and Alan Shepard & Edward Mitchell walk on Moon for 4 hrs. Alan Shepard was USA’s first man in space in 1961 in a sub-orbital flight in a space capsule called Friendship 7. This was part of the Mercury Program, which had Americans just orbiting the earth. Mercury gave way to the Gemini and Apollo programs.

The super blue blood moon over the Arch last Tue AM! (Photo courtesy of SPS parent and neighbor Dunbar Healy)

DYK: In 1968, Brother Ephrem Hebert dedicated his book entitled “The Saint Paul Story” to honor the 50 year anniversary of the coming of the Christian Brothers to Covington. Today, Mrs. Christie Simoneaux is working on a sequel to Brother Ephrem’s book in honor of our Centennial. Her book will cover Saint Paul’s from 1968 to the present and should be ready for publication in the next few months.

Sudden Impact for another group of sophomores

Bowling: SPS v. Albany

Parent – Teacher Conferences in the BAC (5-7)

Tue, Feb 6 (Regular; B C D E)

TDIH: In 1952, after a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland dies in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham. Princess Elizabeth, the oldest of the king's two daughters and next in line to succeed him, was in Kenya at the time of her father's death; she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27.

DYK: The final purchase by the Christian Brothers of the property of Saint Paul’s from the Benedictines was delayed from 1918 until 1921. The sale price of the property and buildings totaled $60,000, ten percent of which was paid immediately by the Brothers and the balance was to be paid over the next ten years at 6% interest. Perhaps our math classes today could take a moment and figure out how much money the Brothers paid up front, and how much interest they ended up paying over the next ten years thereby giving the students a practical lesson in real estate purchases! Perhaps the Economics classes could compare the original price of the property with property values in this area today and also compare the interest rate with real estate interest rates today

ASVAB Testing for Seniors

Basketball: JV & V v. Ponchatoula

Wed, Feb 7 (Mass at 7 am; Regular, F G A B)

TDIH: In 2009, the New Orleans Saints defy the odds and win the Super Bowl. Pigs reportedly fly as city celebrates with holidays and parades.

TDIH II: On this day in 1812, Charles John Huffam Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England. Celebrate the birth of this incredible writer! Read some Dickens today. Who can forget some of his immortal lines such as the opening of A Tale of Two Cities? It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

Chris, Joel, Deuce, & Ben helped at the Benilde Hall Renovation Reception.

DYK: Brother Bertaud Victor was the principal of Saint Paul’s from 1920-26. At the end of his six years, he was sent by his superiors to Bolivia and then to Chile, Panama and finally back to Europe. When the Germans overran Belgium in 1939, they confiscated the Brothers’ boarding school there. All left except Brother Bertaud. He remained in the school during all of World War II, living with the Germans, protecting the right of the Brothers to own the school property, even though the buildings were used as a hospital by the German during the war. We can only guess the hardships which this determined man must have endured under the circumstances. We pray that we have the same strength of conviction today that he had.

Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day: Greet your neighbors today with a big wave, but to show respect and appreciation, you must wave with all of your fingers

Bowling: Wolves v. Ponchatoula

Thu, Feb 8 (Regular; C D E F)

v Did You Know (SPS Trivia): The first 19 French Christian Brothers at Saint Paul’s led lives nothing short of heroic in 1918. Everything was against the Brothers from the start: the language barrier, the climate, the mosquitoes, & the lack of even bare necessities of life. Having meager funds, they were unable to purchase what they needed, so they were forced to deprive themselves of many necessary items. The Benedictine Fathers had left a small amount of canned goods in the pantry. The Brothers lived on these, bread, and a lmilk all summer. The 14 Christian Brothers who live on campus today have it considerably better!

v Boy Scout Day: Today celebrates the birthday of Scouting in US. On Feb 8, 1910, Chicago publisher William Dickson Boyce filed incorporation papers in the District of Columbia to create BSA. SPS is proud to have so many students still actively involved in scouting and reaching Eagle

v Mardi Gras / Beginning of Lent Holidays begin at 3 pm

Fri, Feb 9 (Feast of St. Brother Miguel Febres Cordero; Faculty Retreat Day)

DYK: At ten minutes to eight on the morning of November 11, 1918, sirens and whistles blew all over Covington. A few minutes later, the news of the end of World War I was confirmed, and the students were dismissed at 10 am. The Brothers, who had all come from France, went to their chapel to thank God for the end of World War I in which millions of their countrymen had been killed. Today, the Brothers look

forward to a day when the war on terror will end – we will gladly dismiss school at 10 and go to the chapel!

Today, Lasallians observe the feast of Saint Brother Miguel Febres Cordero (1854-1910.) Born into a prominent Ecuadorian family, and crippled from birth, Miguel became the first native Ecuadorian Christian Brother. He had such a reputation as scholar, teacher, & saint that Pope John Paul II canonized him in 1984. Teaching remained Brother Miguel's priority, and his students admired his simplicity, concern for them, directness, and piety. Miguel excelled as a teacher and looked “for every possible way to make the lessons and work agreeable and pleasant for students.” After Brother Miguel had taught the same material for twenty years, a confrere asked him why he spent so much time with lesson plans. Brother replied: I can find a better way of presenting it every year. If I teach this material for another 20 years, I will find newer and better ways of explaining it. His lessons were prepared,

organized and relevant -- even if he used student "lingo" to do it. Miguel insisted on student mastery of material. How can we make this feast meaningful? I gave some reflection questions to the faculty about their teaching. With a little adaptation, I offer the following to you:

Are my parenting lessons clear, agreeable, and pleasant? From year to year, do I look for ways to parent in a better way? How do I improve my parenting? Can I say along with Brother Miguel, "I must engage in all the works that I undertake with a spirit of

love, of gratitude for the divine goodness which employs me for His glory and the salvation of souls”?

Brother Miguel is an Ecuadorian hero with stamps issued and public monuments in his honor. Even though our likeness may never be on a stamp or monument, our dedication, preparation, patience, and masterful lessons will make us heroes in the lives of our students. Saint Brother Miguel! Pray for us! Note: Saint Miguel is the Patron of San Miguel High School, the Lasallian School in Tucson. We wish our colleagues a holy and happy day.

TDIH: In 1825, the U.S. House of Representatives votes to elect John Quincy Adams, who won fewer votes than Andrew Jackson in the popular vote.

National Pizza Day

Basketball: JV & Varsity at Slidell

Sat, Feb 10 (Feast of Saint Scholastica)

St. Scholastica (480-547) was the twin sister of St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictines. We rejoice with SSA on this feast and offer them prayer. The Benedictine nuns no longer serve there, but we remember gratefully their work from St. Scholastica Priory (on Stafford Road) for north shore Catholic education at SSA, St. Peter, & OLL. In remembering the sisters, we recall St. La Salle’s words “What glory there will be for those who have instructed youth, when their zeal and devotion to procure the salvation of children will be made public before all people! All heaven will resound with thanksgiving!” Remember and celebrate these wonderful women and ask St. Scholastica to bless their legacy--and our school and work too.

ACT on campus this morning

Rugby: SPS v. Jesuit (1)

Basketball: 8th v. John Curtis (at Holy Cross)

Students enjoyed viewing old yearbooks during Walk through History last week.

Sun, Feb 11

Today we commemorate Our Lady's appearance in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old farmer’s daughter. Today, 2-3 million pilgrims annually visit Lourdes. While this apparition occurred after the time of Saint La Salle, we know the Founder's great devotion to Mary: “Beg the Most Blessed Virgin to obtain grace for you.” I encourage you to do so this week – and always.

Be Electrific Day: Today honors the birth of Thomas Alva Edison and recognizes his electrical inventions, including the light bulb. Where would we be today without TAE!

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day: Today recognizes that everyone spills a little milk now and then. It's a day to be optimistic, think positive, look on the bright side, and to find something good in everything that happens. As the song says: Don't Worry, be Happy! Try to smile all day today!

Mon, Feb 12 – Sun, Feb 18 – Mardi Gras / Beginning of Lent Holidays. You are on your own for TDIH,

DYK, National Whatever Days, and events as the newsletter goes on Mardi Gras/Beginning of Len holidays. Next newsletter will be Feb 18. Consult school website calendar if you crave activity.

I offer the following in alphabetical order, not necessarily order of importance.

Anniversary Events: During 2018, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Christian Brothers assuming ownership of Saint Paul’s School in 1918, thus returning to the Archdiocese of New Orleans after an absence of many years. Here are some of the events already underway or in the near future:

v The first – and biggest – event is the renovation of Benilde Hall. A contract has been signed and you will see much work beginning.

v Did You Know tidbits of SPS history

v On Jan 29th, we invited guests and prospective donors to a Benilde Hall Renovation Reception from 6:30 – 7:30 in the BAC to officially kick off the campaign for the building project. Thanks to all who made this event!

v On Jan 29th and 30th, we had a Walk through History. Those who were here in 2011 during the centennial celebration of the school’s opening will remember this display of SPS history. All religion classes visited and we invited the public during specific times between 11 and 1 on Mon and Tue.

v I am most grateful to the development team for coordinating all of these events! And more is in the works.

Annual Fund: Many thanks to those who have responded to my request. For clarity, I offer the following:

Almost all private schools conduct annual funds; many are high-pressured; ours is not – but I need your support to keep it from being high-pressured.

Wolves for Life in Washington for March for Life

The Annual Fund funds tactical, short term projects, e.g. technology, special programs (e.g. engineering). The Capital Campaign funds large infrastructure projects (the $4 million La Salle Hall renovation and the $4.5 million new gym.)

You may “pledge” your gift and pay later or in installments (monthly, etc.). More and more families are using automatic credit card monthly payments of $10 or $20 dollars. WONDERFUL!

While we don’t send requests to grandparents, every year a number of grandparents do donate to the school. AND WE NEED GRANDPARENT SUPPORT! If you would like to inform your son’s grandparents of the drive, please do so – or provide me with an address and I’ll personally appeal. I’ll send them a nice “thank you” note, too! Even a small donation ($5!) is welcome.

Gifts of stock are welcome.

No gift is too small. I repeat: no gift is too small! What is important is that everyone participates. Of course, no gift is too large!

If you are contributing to the Capital Campaign or financially supporting SPS in some other way, I understand! Thank you for your generosity. Can you send $10 so I can show an increase in AF participation?

Please consider helping if you have not already done so and are in a position to do so. Many thanks! Assemblies Last Week: We had some special assemblies this week:

On Tuesday, Jan 30, I had my bi-weekly President’s Assembly. Here’s some of what we did:

Entered the gym listening to world-famous cellist Yo Yo Ma play “Ecstasy of Gold”, a song from the 1960’s classic spaghetti - Western film, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” I explained that I chose YoYo Ma’s version because, in addition to being outstanding, Ma’s life is dedicated to promoting world peace and human rights. Several years ago, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor an American President can bestow. And I told them I use the song at the assembly before Mardi Gras, because that holiday, while having so much good, is also sometimes filled with the bad and the ugly. I beseeched the students to choose only the good this Mardi Gras season and to avoid the bad and the ugly. As junior Trace Roberts lit the prayer candle, we prayed in a special way for those who have entered into God’s Kingdom since our last assembly: Mr. Alton Thompson, uncle of Andrew Hodgman ’19; the Grandmother of Peter’19 and Jack ’22 Bertucci; Mr. Lloyd Pablovich, great grandfather of Brendan McNeil ’20; and Mr. Ryan Pearce, SPS alum Class of 2008. We also prayed for the family of SPS alum Graham Jordan ’14 as we observed the one year anniversary of his passing, and for Aaron Cobos, a student at the Lasallian school in El Paso, who remains in critical condition after a rugby accident

Senior Night for Wrestling Wolves

I reminded the students that today Lasallians throughout the world celebrated the feast day of Saint Brother Mutien Marie, about whom I wrote in last week’s newsletter. I showed them a two-minute video on the saint’s life. If you would like to view it, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc6lKsMfo60&feature=youtu.be

Reminded the boys that our Mission Statement calls us to offer strong academic, athletic, and

extracurricular programs in a safe and disciplined environment and to live the Gospel values of Jesus.

Congratulated the student body on their participation at our all school mass the pre-ceding week on the

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. I reminded them that we have begun a yearlong commemoration of the coming of the Christian Brothers to Saint Paul’s in 1918, and informed them of the Walk through History exhibit in the BAC which they would all be viewing during their religion classes.

Recognized and congratulated the students who participated in the March for Life in Washington, DC on

Jan 19. I showed the 3-minute video produced by Carson Caulfield and Lester Guttuso while they were in Washington. If you would like to view the video, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMQiDhYY-8I

Recognized and supported The Marching Wolves, who along with our color guard, began their Mardi

Gras season on Feb 2 with the Krewe of Eve parade, followed by Olympia, Carrollton, Hermes, Endymion, Bacchus & Zulu.

Reminded the students of SPS’s outstanding ACT scores: Class of 2017 ACT Scores (36 maximum): National Average is 21.0; Louisiana Average is 19.6; St. Tammany Average is 22.0; and SPS average is 25.5

Reminded the students that only about 6% of students in the country earn a composite score of 30 or

better on the ACT. At SPS, we currently hve 16% of our students who have earned a 30 or better.

Recognized and congratulated Seniors Patrick Baldone, William James and Jack Nunez and Juniors

Andrew Norlin, Ross Hightower, and David Needles who each scored a 35 composite.

Informed the student body that at least 17 Wolves have scored a PERFECT 36 in one of the subject

matter tests. I’m pulling together the list and will recognize them at a future assembly.

Recognized and congratulated junior Jackson Gold for scoring a PERFECT 36 composite on the

December ACT 

Recognized and congratulated VEX

Robotics Team of Adam Smith, Blake Inzinna, and Darrin Lea for winning the following at the Holy Cross Touranment: tournament champion, overall excellence award, and special judge’s award. Well done, Robo-Wolves!

Recognized and congratulated

sophomore Sean Noel for winning 1st Place in the Local and District Competition of the VFW’s Patriotic Essay Contest.

Recognized and congratulated the Fighting Math Wolves for their showing at the Episcopal High Math

Tournament in November There were 360 students and 15 schools. Here’s how we did: William Ditta (5th place in Alg I), Andrew Hightower, Walker Dubreuil, Trent Caime & Zach Nichols (HMs in Algebra i); Brady Talley (3rd in Geometry; Evan Greene (HM in Geometry); Adam Smith & Josh Bonnett (HMs in Algebra 2); Algebra I Team – 1st place (Walker Dubreuil, William Ditta, Thomas Cazenavette, Andrew Hightower); Algebra I Team – 2nd Place (Trent Caime, Alex Tepper, Zach Nichols) Math Bowl – Algebra 2 -- 3rd place (Jack Bedell, Adam Smith, Josh Bonnett, Brenden Dauterive) and when all the points were tallied, SPS took 2nd Place in Sweepstakes

Darrin, Adam, and Blake sweep the Vex Robotics Tournament!

Media Wolves with just a few of their awards, which included Best School Newspaper in the State for 2nd consecutive year!

Recognized and congratulated our media Wolves for their fantastica showing at the recent Louisiana Scholarship Press Association Convention. I projected these results:

Guerrilla Wolves: 5 awards

Honorable Mention – Best overall broadcast

3rd– Videography (Brandon Gallego)

2nd Plac Place – Division Pages Design

1st Place e – Sports Feature for Football (Joel Fernandez)

2nd Place – News Feature for History of Guerrilla Wolves (John Meyers)

Honorable Mention – News Feature for SPS Monuments (Brandon Gallego/Joel Fernandez) The Paper Wolf: 16 awards

1st Place – Best Newspaper (2nd consecutive year)

1st Place – In-Depth Writing (Lester Guttuso)

1st Place – Online/Social Media for www.ThePaperWolf.com

2nd Place – Online/Social Media for www.twitter.com/thepaperwolf

3rd Place - Online/Social Media for www.facebook.com/SPSpaperwolf

Honorable Mention – Online/Social Media for www.instagram.com/thepaperwolf

1st Place – Reviews (Jackson Cretin)

2nd Place – Reviews (Jackson Cretin)

1st Place – Sports Writing (Ben Davidson)

2nd Place – Sports Advance Story (Carson Caulfield)

2nd Place (tie) – News Writing (Carson Caulfield)

2nd Place (tie) – News Writing (Ashton van Deventer)

3rd Place – Arts & Entertainment Writing (Lester Guttuso)

3rd Place – Sports Photo (Michael Valliant)

3rd Place – Reader’s Aides (Info-Graphics) (Blake Franklin)

Honorable Mention – Reader’s Aides (Info-Graphics) (Blake Franklin)

Recognized and congratulated senior Jackson Cretin for his vivid, sensory appealing writing of restaurant reviews.

Recognized and congratulated Head Wrestling Coach Craig Ketelsen for his 350th career win, his 30th year in coaching, and being named the Louisiana Wresting Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High School Coaches Association.

I then projected an email I received the week before from a local attorney as proof that SPS students are noted in the community: Just wanted you to know that my wife was in IGA this afternoon. She was in line, and a St. Paul’s student was at the register buying sushi. Kathy does not know who he was, but she did recognize a boy who was with him. He was short a dollar, and when he told the cashier he needed to run to his car to get more money, the lady in line immediately behind him offered to pay the difference, and he resisted, but she insisted. He left and returned and bought the lady flowers and presented them to

her. You cannot make that up. Congrats on the great job you do to make these men for others. Thanks for this kind of feedback!

Ran out of time before I could do any more recognitions – which will “roll over” to the next assembly.

We ended the assembly by singing Mercy, which the boys seem to like, for the first time in 2018. They sang wonderfully.

We then ended with junior Rhett Ibos extinguishing the prayer candle and my reminding the students what the candle represents – the presence of God among us. I exhorted them to leave the gym and spread God’s love to all whom they meet. The students exited to the sounds of “Ecstasy of Gold” from “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”

On Wednesday, our speaker was Matt Fradd. Matt speaks to over 50,000 people every year on the topic of pornography – which has become a particular concern of Archbishop Aymond, who is asking the schools to address this growing problem. In particular, Matt addressed pornography in light of human trafficking and social justice. Pornography is a major plague affecting our youth. Matt’s expertise is a great small step to battling this epidemic. I hope your son spoke to you about this topic. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, but the students admitted thee assembly was needed. I hope it will results in blunt, life-affirming conversation, as Mr. Fradd presented the Catholic position on porn that so much scientific evidence supports that even atheists are becoming anti-porm.

On Thursday, our speaker was Thomas Awiapo. Growing up in Ghana, Thomas was a beneficiary of Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl initiative. He shared his powerful story about growing up in poverty and survived only with the support of Catholic charities. Thomas’ story was a great opportunity to shed a light on life in Africa and in particular, to paint a clearer picture of those at our twin school, St. Paul’s in Marsabit, Kenya. I hope your son told you about it. If not, please ask him.

Students practiced fire drill last week.

Attendance: Please make the following part of your New Year Resolutions: If your son is absent, phone Suzy in the Attendance Office before 9 am at 892-3200, ext. 1280, & SEND A NOTE when he returns. Benilde Hall: An extensive renovation of Benilde Hall has begun. It will be a challenging semester for us until the project is completed in early August – but the benefits will outweigh the inconvenience. More classrooms, better restrooms, an elevator, improved lighting and HVAC, additional ingress and egress, student services, and more. In case you don’t know its history, Benilde Hall was built in 1959 under the principalship/presidency of the late Brother Cassian Lange. The second and third floors were open dormitories for 6th and 7th grades. The bottom floor contained study halls and recreation rooms. When SPS dropped 6th grade, the first two floors were converted into classrooms. Interesting trivia: Trevor had one of those non-air conditioned classrooms and bought a window unit – making it one of the few air-conditioned classrooms on campus. It was cool but that unit was loud! The third floor remained a dormitory for 7th grade. When we dropped 7th grade, the third floor became the band room! (Imagine lugging all those instruments up three flights of stairs!) The current band room was a rec hall for the boarders. When the number of boarders started dropping, we moved the rec hall into La Salle Hall and converted the third floor to classrooms. Now we begin the latest (and last – at least for me!) incarnation of that storied (pun) building! Saint Benilde! Help us turn that ordinary building into an extraordinary one! Calendar for 2018-19 – NEXT YEAR: We have finalized the 2018-19 calendar. Here are some important dates: Mon - Tue, Aug 6 & 7 Teacher meetings Thu, Aug 9 Classes begin; Full Day of Instruction (same day as public schools) Thu, Aug 23 Senior March through the Arch Mon, Sep 03 Labor Day Holiday Fri, Oct 05 Fall Break Holiday (Parish Fair Holiday) Fri, Oct 12 End of 1st quarter; 11 dismissal followed by Grandparent Day M – F, Nov 19 – 23 Thanksgiving Holidays Wed, Dec 19 End of 1st Semester; Christmas holidays begin at 11:45 following last exam Mon, Jan 07 Classes resume; second semester begins W – F, Jan 9-11 Senior Retreat Fri, Mar 1 Faculty Retreat Day (no classes for students) M-F, Mar 4 -8 Mardi Gras holidays F-F, Apr 19-26 Easter Holidays W-F, May 1-3 Senior exams Sat, May 11 Senior graduation (4 pm) Fri, May 17 Pre-freshman promotion ceremony T-F, May 21-24 Final exams (9-11) Tue, May 28 Conflict Exam Day; Records Day

Cash Back Programs: Please keep the following in mind when you shop:

Amazon Smile: This website, operated by Amazon, lets customers enjoy the same benefits of shopping on Amazon.com. The difference is that when using AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate

0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice – which we hope will be Saint Paul’s School! Click here to shop on AmazonSmile: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/58-1638895.

Office Depot: We receive store credit from customers who give SPS ID at the checkout. Our number is officially 70041640 but saying Saint Paul’s will do. This will help a lot.

Box Tops for Education: Thanks to the Math Department for promoting this painless way to help SPS financially.

New One: Jefferson Auto Service North at 1429 Collins Blvd in Covington donates a percentage of sales to SPS. See below for more info. Call for a service appointment at 809-1890.

Centennial Year: During 2018, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Christian Brothers assuming ownership of Saint Paul’s School in 1918, thus returning to the Archdiocese of New Orleans after an absence of many years. During 2018, we have a number of activities planned to celebrate this important milestone in our school’s history – the bringing of the Lasallian dream to Covington, LA. The first – and biggest – event is the renovation of Benilde Hall (see above). More on these events later, but in addition to Benilde Hall, I am re-instating the Did You Know feature that I used for our Centennial Celebration in 2011. Enjoy these SPS tidbits! Cold Weather: ONLY SPS cold weather wear is accepted. If you cannot afford one, contact me and I will take care of it confidentially. Driving: I call the following to your attention:

Driver’s License Requirement: You need TWO of these: one when your son applies for his learner’s permit and ANOTHER when he goes for his permanent license. Several parents have been turned away, not knowing they needed another form. Don’t blame me! This is a legislative action.

SAFE DRIVING: Parents –let’s start 2018 with a resolution for safe driving! Set an example for the students! Students – the neighbors are watching (and filming!) and we will take action! This applies at all times: after school, after practice, on weekends, at games, etc. Please obey the traffic laws: speed limit, no tailgating, no texting while driving, no cell phone use during school zone hours, buckle up, etc. Thank you!

School Zone Cell Phone Ban: It is illegal to use a cell phone in a school zone while driving. I see some students and parents driving in the morning and using a cell phone. This sets a bad example – and is illegal. Please do not drive on campus during school zone hours while using a cell phone.

Erratum: Last week’s newsletter had Michael Algero placing 5th in Ken Cole Wrestling Tourney. Of course I meant junior Matthew Algero. Michael is Matthew’s older brother. Sorry, Matthew! Feb: Can you believe we are in February? How are those New Year resolutions coming along? So far, I’m not doing well! Feb is: Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month, American Heart Month, Avocado and Banana Month, Bake for Family Fun Month, Beans Month, Dog Training Month, Exotic Vegetables and Star Fruit Month, Grapefruit Month, Boost Self-Esteem Month, Expect Success Month, Library Lovers Month, Bird Feeding Month, Black History Month, Care About Your Indoor Air Month, Cherry Month, Children's Dental Health Month, Haiku Writing Month, Hot Breakfast Month, Mend A Broken Heart Month, Parent Leadership Month, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Time Management Month, Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month, Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month, & Youth Leadership Month – something for almost everyone!

Goals for Graham: On Jan 29, we observed the one-year anniversary of Graham’s passing. If you wish to view this moving video, here’s the link: https://youtu.be/WOpmUCzUKyQ And you can make a pledge at https://pledgeit.org/goals-for-graham/@jordan

ID Cards: As part of our safety plan, students are required to wear their ID cards on their SPS issued lanyard on a DAILY basis. Check your son before he leaves the house to make sure he is wearing the ID. If he forgets, he receives detention. If he loses his ID, he must purchase a replacement for $10. Jefferson Auto Service North at 1420 N. Collins Blvd in Covington offers specials and discounts to Saint Paul’s families, along with a portion of the sales donated to SPS. In addition, they offer free shuttle to and from JAS from SPS. Call them at 985-809-1890 to schedule oil change, repairs, etc. Only genuine NAPA auto parts are used. Last Week:

Assemblies: I thought Matt Fradd was excellent, and my class said they appreciated the assembly. We pray that the students who need his words take advantage of them. And Mr. Thomas Awiapo’s story was powerful and reminds us forcefully how easy our lives are.

Baseball: Scrimmage last week on a cold Friday started our season.

Basketball: JV &Varsity had big wins over Hammond; tough losses to Madison Prep, and thrilling wins at Covington. 8th grade had a great week with wins over Rummel, Holy Cross and St. Aug. Go BB Wolves!

Benilde Hall Reception: The kick off campaign took place on Monday night. While Andrew Moran played the marimba, our guests viewed Walk through History and enjoyed food from Benedict’s. Then I subjected them to an overview of our centennial and the Benilde Hall project. The architect (FLWB) and contractor (Donahue Favret) then spoke and showed slides of the architectural renderings. We then distributed pledge cards. More socializing followed. Many people pledged support. Many thanks to Development Team for organizing the evening.

Bowling: Busy week for the Wolves, with wins over Hammond and St. Thomas Aquinas. Go Wolves!

Catholic Schools Week Mass: Our delegation joined those of the other 84 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to share and celebrate our common Catholic School heritage. Thanks to Jeff Ramon and Andrew Aceves, Matthew Gros, Evan Meral, Ian McCarthy, Justin McClesky, Patrick Saucier, Justin Savoie, Samuel Schmitt, Zachary Taylor and Matthew Weimer for representing SPS.

Journalism Educators Association Spring Conference at Loyola: Luc Hebert, Jackson Cretin, Carson Caulfield, Lester Guttuso, Spencer Fox, Brandon Gallego, & Joel Fernandez represented us well. Christi will give a formal accounting of all awards, but The Paper Wolf brought home 10, and Guerrilla Wolves 6. The coup de grace was Luc Hebert being named the JEA State Journalist of the Year, which comes

Cooperative learning in Spanish I class.

with a $150,000 scholarship to Loyola and an opportunity to represent Louisiana at national JEA conference in San Francisco. Congrats, Luc!

Lacrosse Wolves were in action and won 10-4 against Airline. Geaux LAX Wolves!

Marching Wolves hit the streets on Fri and Sat night in Krewes of Eve and Olympia. They played to rave reviews. And they were a hit at the OLL Catholic Schools Week pep rally. Off to NO today for Carrollton!

Math Tournament: A busload of Wolves headed out on a cold Sat morning to work math problems! Fantastic!

OLL Pep Rally: Marching Wolves celebrated with OLL in style – always a hit!

Pack Time: My guys agreed that the assemblies this week were needed and the issue of pornography needs to be addressed more regularly (like alcohol and drugs.) And they all agreed how easy we have it compared to some areas of the world. They also expressed a desire to learn more about St. Paul’s in Marsabit.

Robotics: the BAC hosted 37 robotics teams on Sat; it was quite a sight. Thanks, Robo Wolves -- a premier tournament in a premier venue!

Rugby Wolves were in action on Sat but I don’t have results.

Science Fair: Wolves did well at regionals.

Soccer: A final regular season sets stage for playoffs as Wolves defend their state title.

Track: The 4 x 800 m relay team of Luke Paille, Evan Hendry, Henry Elliott, and Stephen Schlottman finished in 3rd place in the LSU Indoor Meet.

Walk through History: Congrats to the Development Team for an informative and attractive display! The boys seemed interested and our legacy students enjoyed finding the dads and granddads’ pictures. We might make this an annual event. I would like to have a venue for a permanent display. Any ideas?

Wolf Tracks: Congrats Danielle!

Wrestling: ANOTHER District Title by virtue of their dominating performance against Covington last week. Congrats to Craig on his 350th career win!

Late Start: Monday is a 9 am start to allow for a faculty meeting. Cafeteria and library will be open at regular time to accommodate early arrivals. Lost and Found: The accumulation continues. Sweatshirts, pants, belts, uniform shirts, many, many lunch boxes, books, art supplies, pencil cases, folders, flash drives, you name, it’s probably in our lost and found. Parents, please put your son’s name on things and stress with your son the need to be responsible. Money: Parents, please stress with you son that they should NOT bring large sums of money to school. There is no need for students to have large cash amounts – which they invariable talk about which tempts others.

Evan, Matt, Sam, Matthew, Justin, Ian, Justin, Patrick, and Zach represented SPS at Archdiocesan Catholic Schools

Week Mass last Friday.

The Paper Wolf: The Journalism Class updates the DIGITAL Paper Wolf each class period, thus keeping it relevant and interesting. The Scholastic Press Association recently named TPW BEST HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER in the STATE of LOUISIANA. Wow! We encourage you to SUBSCRIBE which will email you alerts when new content is added. Support the staff and subscribe to The Paper Wolf (which should now probably be called The Digital Wolf!) Here’s the link: www.thepaperwolf.com. Well done, Mrs. Simoneaux & Journalism class! Parent – Teacher Conferences will be held Monday, Feb 5, between 5 – 7 pm. The format is the same we used in November: teachers will be in the BAC and parents can visit with some or all of their son’s teachers. Phones: Please stress with your sons the need to follow school phone rules. Students must turn OFF phones in class and may only use them outside (between classes or at lunch.) A $10 fine is assessed for violating the rule – which, unfortunately, is happening way too frequently. Registration of Current Students for 2018 - 19:

Current 8th graders were emailed registration materials last week and asked to observe the Feb 2 deadline. We need to know if any current 8th graders do not plan on returning next year in order for us to know how many new (if any) 9th graders we can accept.

Current 9th – 11th grade students were emailed registration materials last week, with a return deadline of Feb 9th.

Current 12th graders – well, they don’t have to worry about registering for SPS next year! Rejoice!

In all re-registration for 2018 - 19, a $300 registration fee will be due.

If your son is not returning to SPS next year, please let me know so I can accommodate those students who are applying for next year.

Service Hours: As a Lasallian Catholic institution, we are called to demonstrate "Concern for the Poor and Social Justice." Our school wide response to this calling is our Serve Ten program. Every St. Paul's student is required to complete a minimum of ten (10) service hours during the school year. Service hours must be completed and submitted by May 1st, 2018 Acceptable service is that in which you volunteer with a charitable organization (like the Covington Food Bank and local churches), assist the elderly, help someone less fortunate in the community, or assist at fundraisers for charitable organizations. . Assisting family is admirable, but does not count towards the service hour goal. You can find service hour forms on the SPS Edline homepage under "Links". Completed forms should be signed and turned in to the drop-off box in the library. You can also send electronic submission of the forms as well as any questions relating to service hours to Mr. Ramon (j.ramon@stpauls.com) Social Media: Want up-to-date news on all of the good things happening at Saint Paul's School? Get event and classroom pictures, latest scores, calendar reminders, and spiritual uplifting by liking our Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/St.Pauls.School.Covington.Louisiana/ or following us on Twitter @SPSWolfpack. The strength of the Wolf is in the pack! Many thanks to Mimi Montiero for maintaining our social media information.

St. Peter Adult Formation Committee presents a Growth in Faith on Thu, Feb 22. Fr. Mark Raphael, Ph.D., will present "Exploring the Life and Ministry of St. Peter the Apostle" in St. Mary's Hall. A light dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. with the presentation to follow at 6:30 p.m. For information, please call the parish office at 985.892.2422.

Student Council: SPS Student Council is selling Valentine Candy grams for $1 to be delivered to SSA on Thursday, February 8. Please see a Student Council member to order prior to Feb. 6. Tutoring: National Honor Society tutoring resumes next week, according to the following schedule:

Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning at 7:15 in La Salle 207

Monday and Thursday at lunch in LaSalle 207.

Essay proofreading services also provided.

Please encourage your son to take advantage of this awesome opportunity to get help from their most capable peers. It is not embarrassing to do so.

Defending State Champion Senior Soccer Wolves and their parents on Senior Night. On to the playoffs to defend the title!

Uniform Shirts, pants, etc: We have a large number of pre-owned uniform shirts and khaki pants and sweatshirts in good condition if your son has outgrown his and purchasing new ones is difficult for you. Just have your son come to the Admin Bldg. Nothing will be done to embarrass your son. We also have a number of khaki pants available – all for the taking. Vaping: I’m sorry I have to mention this, but please speak to your son about the dangers involved in this latest fad. We are hearing anecdotal reports of vaping by our students and have even taken disciplinary action against several of them who vaped at school events. We will continue to be vigilant and take strong measures against violators. At last month’s regular meeting with the Covington Police Department, we were informed that it is AGAINST THE LAW for minors to purchase vaping equipment. Please make sure your son knows this – and complies with your wishes, the rules of the school – and the law.

Warm Hearts: The Annual Lasallian Leaders “Warm Hearts” drive begins Monday, January 29. Please donate new or gently used blankets, hats, gloves or socks – anything that can be used to keep someone warm. Collections will be distributed in three civil parishes. Our goal is to collect 1000 items. There will be collection bins set up outside of Ms. Suzy’s office, in the LaSalle lobby, and at Founder’s Circle.

Weekly Humor: Some electrical jokes in honor of Be Electrific day on Sunday:

My friend told me how electricity is measured and I was like Watt!

I managed to get rid of that nasty electrical charge I've been carrying. I'm ex-static!

What would a barefoot man get if he stepped on an electric fence? A pair of shocks.

Where do electricians get their supplies? The Ohm Depot.

My tight-fisted neighbor doesn't want to pay for an electrician to re-wire his house so he's going to try and do it himself. I think he's in for a shock.

What do electricians chant when they meditate? Ohm.

What kind of car does an electrician drive? A Volts-wagon.

If you plant a light bulb in your garden, does it grow into a power plant?

What is an electrician's favorite flavor of ice cream? Shock-a-lot.

I had to call an electrician out today after getting my finger stuck in the socket while trying to plug in my iPhone. I can't believe how much I was charged.

How did Benjamin Franklin feel after discovering electricity? Shocked.

What do you call a detective electrician? Sherlock Ohms.

What's the definition of a shock absorber? A careless electrician.

Why are electricians always up to date? Because they are current specialists.

What did the light bulb say to the generator? I really get a charge out of you.

An electrician finishes repairing faulty wiring in an attorney's home and hands him the bill. ''Four hundred dollars! shouts the attorney. ''That's ridiculous! I'm an attorney and I don't charge that much.'' The electrician replies, ''Funny, when I was an attorney I didn't either!''

OK, I’ll stop before electricians and attorneys are after me!

Yearbook: The 2017-2018 Confier is now available for purchase at www.yearbookforever.com for $65. The deadline to order is May 25, 2018, and only a very limited number of extra books will be ordered. ALL Seniors will receive a yearbook and do not need to pre-order one, but Senior Ads must be placed by May 14, 2018. This a great way for families to leave a lasting message for their sons. Go to www.yearbookforever.com to place your Senior Ad. Remember, you must spell out the word "Saint" in Saint Paul's School when ordering a book or placing an ad.

A Look Ahead: February 5 – EFGA- 9:00 Late Start for Faculty In Service – Parent/Teacher meetings in BAC 5-7 6 – BCDE – Pack Time 7 – FGAB 8 – CDEF 9 - Faculty Retreat – no classes 19 – GABC 20 – DEFG – President’s Assembly / Pre-Freshmen in Explore (BAC) 21 – ABCD – Freshmen in PLAN (BAC) 22 – EFGA – Sophomores in Pre ACT (BAC) – Freshmen on Retreat 23 – BCDE – Freshmen on Retreat 26 – FGAB – Senior Day with Archbishop Aymond at OLL 27 – CDEF – Juniors in ACT 28 – GABC – Pack Time

Science Fair Wolves brought home a number of awards from regional competition!

March 1 – DEFG 2 – ABCD 5 – EFGA 6 – BCDE – President’s Assembly 7 – FGAB 8 – CDEF 9 – GABC – End of Third Quarter 12 – DEFG - 9:00 Late Start 13 – ABCD – Pack Time 14 – EFGA 15 – BCDE - Junior Retreat/Angola 16 – FGAB – Junior Retreat/Angola 19 – ABCDEFG- St. Joseph Altar 20 – CDEF – Pack Time 21 – GABC 22 – DEFG – Celebrity Waiters Dinner 23 – ABCD 26 – EFGA 27 – BCDE – President’s Assembly 28 – FGAB 29 – CDEF April 9 – GABC 10 – DEFG – Pack Time – 8/9 HR Breakfast in BAC 11 – ABCD – 10/11 HR Breakfast in BAC 12 – EFGA – 12th HR Breakfast in Cafeteria 13 – BCDE 16 – FGAB – 9:00 Late Start for Faculty In-Service 17 – CDEF – President’s Assembly – Teacher Appreciation Lunch – Snack Day 18 – GABC – Mother-Son Dinner in BAC 19 – DEFG 20 – ABCD 23 – EFGA – President’s Assembly 24 – BCDE – Pack Time (last with seniors) 25 – FGAB – Senior Exams 26 – CDEF – Senior Exams 27 – GABC -- Senior Exams – Final Day for Seniors 30 – DEFG

Help us renovate Benilde Hall by donating to the Annual Fund. Naming rights are available if you really want to

help us!

May 1 – ABCD 2 – EFGA 3 – BCDE 4 – FGAB 7 – CDEF 8 – GABC - Pack Time 9 – DEFG – Level Awards Assemblies 10 – ABCD – Athletic Awards Assembly BAC 11 – EFGA – Major Academic Awards Assembly BAC 12 – Senior Graduation (4 pm in the BAC; admission by ticket only) 14 – BCDE 15 – FGAB - Pre freshmen Exams 16 – CDEF - Pre freshmen Exams 17 – Pre freshmen Exams /9-11 Exams 18 – 9-11 Exams /Pre freshmen Promotion in Evening 21 – Exams 22 – Exams 23 – Exam make up day Whew! I’ve really taken up your time this week. But you get a break next Sunday as the newsletter goes on Mardi Gras / Beginning of Lent vacation. Enjoy your Sunday without my email cluttering up your mailbox. Next newsletter will be sent Sunday, February 18. Even though it’s a New Year, I will still close with a paraphrase of one of my favorite NPR radio shows (which I’m listening to now as I complete the newsletter and LOLing): well, it’s happened again – you’ve squandered perfectly good time reading my ramblings! Know of my prayer for you and your family, especially as we move into February! Again, thanks for being part of the 2017 - 18 edition of Saint Paul’s! Happy New Year! Brother Ray Bulliard, FSC Giving Thanks for Making It to February as the 17th Christian Brother President of Saint Paul’s School

…..by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well, making courageous choices, doing God’s will, remaining faithful, and being guided to God by Our Lady of the Star

Students pay attention at last week’s assemblies. Speak to your son about them, as they were pretty

powerful presentations on pornography and poverty. (How’s that for some alliteration?)